Elgin man gets 12 years for drug homicide

A man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the drug-induced homicide of a man he met in treatment.

Eric Jones, 54, of Elgin, was sentenced Monday by Kane County Judge Julia Yetter.

He could have been sentenced to up to 30 years.

Jones was accused of the death of Niko Jiminez of Aurora, which happened in November 2022. Authorities said Jiminez died of a fentanyl overdose in his bedroom at a recovery house in Aurora.

Prosecutors presented evidence from Jiminez’s cellphone showing he had texted a contact listed as “Erik Rehab,” requesting some “blues” and saying, “Can you do $15 for those candies?”

According to an Aurora police report, Jones denied supplying the fatal dose of drugs, but connected Jiminez to someone who did.

He will have to serve at least 9 years of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

Jones received credit for nearly 1½ years he has spent in custody before and after his trial.